We applaud FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan for implementing
new layers of protection against bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE). Preventing potentially risky tissue,
like meat from down or dead cattle, and specified risk
materials from cattle older than 30 months, from entering
the human food supply is critical for preventing the human
form of mad cow disease.

One of the positive consequences of the recent BSE
discovery is a renewed focus on animal feed. Many Americans
were surprised to learn that cattle are sometimes fed cow
blood and so-called "poultry litter." We hope that the
FDA takes its feed ban a step further by banning all
mammalian protein, especially specified risk materials, from
the entire animal food chain. Short of an inspector in every barn, there is no other way to ensure that feed containing any
beef remains does not get fed to cattle.

And if more restrictions on animal feed cost the beef
industry a little money, it will only be a fraction of what
it would lose if our trading partners continue to spurn
American beef.